The fourth edition of this book maintains the original objectives, including discussions of the purchasing activity and product information from a managerial perspective. Each chapter has been revised to include the most current concepts available with a few sections being rearranged. The extensive discussion in the convenience foods chapter has been eliminated and the remaining pertinent information incorporated into other relevant areas. A new chapter on computer technology in the purchasing function has been added. It comes at the tail end of the purchasing principles chapters and offers students an excellent opportunity to explore purchasing techniques in an interactive computer environment.